The large roman sand colored columns held up the low a-framed over hang on the building that looked more like it belonged more in southern italy then the southern states. The green oxidized cooper banister held the overly ornate repetitive pattern that was a clear indicator of the southern lifestyle. The stairs led up and into the grand main hall of the public building that must have held town meetings at one point in its life. Lilly walked on the marble floor admiring the workmanship. Carrying a bag of unworn clothing Lilly found her way to the small high ceiling single bathroom. Slipping into a strapless white cotton dress, Lilly put on the image of Linda Perry. Staring in the mirror Lilly fastened the thick black belt showing off her hidden waist. Pulling her hair down, Lilly used a simple barrette to give her an air of innocence. The little bit of makeup she used gave her wider eyes and pouty lips. Lilly liked the image of Linda Perry. Packing up and leaving the bathroom, Lilly took her time admiring the large oil paintings of the long sense dead on the walls. The images of the women with a lace kerchief stared down at a small infant in her arms. The man beside her hand his hands resting lightly on her shoulder.
"Lilly." Sam's voice came from across the room.
Lilly perked up and spun on the balls of her feet to look at the younger of the two Winchesters. Lilly marveled at her hair as it managed to wing out and around her body. Lilly wanted to pose, but resisted the urge to imitate the conditioner commercials as a whole. Dean stood beside Sam looking her up and down. The Lilly couldn't help but feel a little inspected. Dean's face was calm, but the corners of his mouth curled up on their own. Lilly smiled and blushed as she looked at Dean. Lilly walked over to the well dress man in front of her. His pressed black suit with red tie took her breath away. This starched white shirt with high collar only finished off the look. Dean saw the moment Lilly inhaled suddenly. Dean's smile spread into a wide smirk. Looking up and down her body, Dean considered the length of her legs. Lilly took the moment and shifted her weight to one hip. Her body took on a long curvy line. Dean's eyes widened slightly as he took in the image. Lilly smirked her own knowing smile and sauntered past the two brothers. Lilly knew that the semi-sheer hose with the dark line down the back struck an intoxicating image.
"Are you sure you can keep your head clear?" Sam asked behind her.
A flat thud smacked against a solid, but moveable object. Sam exhaled suddenly then chuckled lightly. The two men caught up behind her. As they left the stately building, Dean walked out of the room and offered his arm. Lilly slipped her hand through the crock of his arm as she took the first step. Her long heels clicked on the steps as they walked down and to the car. Lilly allowed her mind to accept the illusion. Dean walked up to the Impala and opened the passenger door for Lilly. Lilly just watched his face as he beamed like a man getting to house. Lilly slipped into the seat and leaned out the open window.
"What about Sam?" Lilly asked honestly concerned.
"Don't worry. I am heading to the library. I will catch up with you two later." The youngest brother smiled.
"See you at the hotel." Dean said getting behind the drivers seat.
Lilly looked out the window watching the faded buildings and trees full of spanish moss pass. The warm wind wiped around her causing her long red hair to whip lightly around her face. Dean's hand found hers on the long leather bench seat. He squeezed lightly then turned on the radio. The electric guitar and crisp sounds of a drum beat added to the feeling of being elsewhere. This world of manners and sweet tea was so alien to her. The antebellum architecture seemed to have a life of its own.
"Have you ever been here before?" Lilly asked lounging slightly out of the window. The warm sun beamed down on her skin warming where it touched.
"No. We had a job a few years back in North Carolina, but that is the closest one." Dean said as he pulled the car onto another picturesque street.
"It is so pretty here." Lilly smiled allowing her hand to play in the wind outside of the window.
Dean didn't say anything, and Lilly just enjoyed the moment. The bright blue southern sky beamed with fluffy white cotton candy clouds. Lilly shifted her head so that her eyes were out of the direct sun. Glancing across the car, Lilly noticed how Dean kept glancing her direction. Uncrossing her legs and re-crossing them the other direction, Lilly watched his attention wane from driving. Looking up suddenly Dean slowed the car. Lilly allowed her head to rock back and into the sunlight her hair fluttered up around her. Dean drove up next to a three story modern plantation. The architecture boggled her mind. The light pink, almost salmon colored bed and breakfast seemed to be the mish-mash of a colonial style with a true two tiered plantation styled covered porch with tapered white columns. Before she could take her eyes off of the building, Dean crossed around the Impala then opened the door for her. Lilly took his hand stepping out. Her long stiletto heel clicked on the sidewalk. The large white ornate door seemed imposing despite the bright colors.
"You take me to all of the nicest places." Lilly muttered then added a smile.
"You are the one who wanted to come." Dean reminded her.
Dean opened the main door and waited for Lilly to enter. Lilly stepped in and put the image of Linda back in place. Lilly walked over to the area of the traditional living room with a large heavy oak desk. Lilly glanced at the leather bound agenda journal with a full stationary set. The cream colored paper with the printed scrolled logo on the top of the letterhead. Dean scanned the room looking at all of the paintings and photos on the wall. Lilly glanced around the little portraits on the desk. The image of a brunette woman holding a bundle of cloth caught her attention. The woman with the high cheekbones seemed familiar.
"That is Lady Ravenel. This estate and the adjoining carriage house were built in 1848 by her husband John Ravenel. It was a gift to her for the birth of her first child." A woman said over Lilly's shoulder.
"Oh I am sorry. I shouldn't have." Lilly said putting the small portrait back on the desk.
"It is alright. Many do. Do you have a reservation?" The older woman in front of Lilly stood at about five foot six, but her presence took up more space in the room.
"The reservation is under Newsted." Dean said moving across the room to her.
"Yes. I see everything is already taken care of. If you will follow me I will show you your room." The woman turned heading towards the back stairs. Lilly noticed the thin wooden cane that had been propped behind her. The soft thudding up the three flights of stairs led the way into an antique yellow room with high ceilings. The large deep brown queen sized open canopy bed would have consumed any open space in most rooms, but in this lavish room was just a portion of it.
"This is the Front Room. There is a sitting room off of the main room. There is also a joining full bathroom through the other door. We serve breakfast from seven to nine. The pool in the court yard is open, but we do not have a lifeguard. Most people who don't know how to swim just avoid it. Through the other room there is a clear view of the Fort Sumter and the Harbor. I am in the main room on the bottom floor. You can dial nine on the phone to get a hold of me. If there is anything you need or want to see let me know. My name is Claire." The woman turned and walked away closing the door behind them.
Lilly found her way into the front room and opened the shutters on the bay window. The open view of the ocean took her breath away. The small waves lapped at each other as they tried to fight for their chance to reach the shore. The water seemed calm waiting for people to find their way onto the battlements. The high railings gave a sense of security as people walked their dogs along the path. Lilly watched a few cars pass by wondering if anyone else was a taken with the landscape as she was. Lilly turned to see Dean standing in the doorway leaning on one side. Like always he just seemed to be watching her. Lilly waited for his expression to change into a smile before she crossed the room. The standard altering ring tone he always choose cried out from his front pocket for attention. The sound of Sam's voice came through, but wasn't loud enough for her to understand. After a few moments of consideration, Dean began to ask questions.
"Okay, so it could be Elizabeth's ghost. The old lady taking out her bad marriage on other couples?" Dean accepted the idea.
"So to get it's attention we have to…" Dean's voice trailed off.
"Alright. We will get on that. I need you to find her remains." Dean shut his flip phone ending the conversation.
"In, thirty minutes, I need you to call Claire and see if she will give you a tour of the place and get the history." Dean said as he rummaged through his bag for a few small pouches and a silver boot knife.
"What are you going to do?" Lilly wanted to know.
"I am going to get into trouble." Dean said and with that finally statement he was out of the hotel room.
Lilly waited. Staring at the little hand that had only moved about a fourth of an inch, Lilly unpacked her bag fully. The little hand had moved a fourth of an inch so Lilly brushed her teeth then her hair. Lilly turned back to the clock with another ten minutes to go. Lilly paced around the room opening and closing every drawer she could find. Staring at the clock waiting on the final five minutes, Lilly made a note that waiting had never really been her strong suit. Picking up the phone Lilly pressed the button that would connect her with the woman in charge.
"This is Claire." The woman's southern accent seemed exaggerated on the phone.
"Claire. I was wondering if you would give me a tour of the estate. I am studying architecture in my next classes, and I know I am going to have to pick an American style and write a paper." Lilly tried to hedge the idea a little with information she already had.
"Not a problem dear, meet me in the main room." Claire agreed and Lilly picked up the small pad of paper and a pen from the bedside table. Snagging her small point and click camera, Lilly headed out of the room. The way to sale the con was usually to have good props. Lilly followed the woman around the estate hanging on her every word and making small notes and sketches as she went. Lilly tried to write down the entire history. The skills she had picked up in her actual history classes came in useful. The woman in front of her took her time explaining and recapping as needed. Lilly smiled feeling truly useful. The sound of Dean's footsteps caught her attention. Dean leaned in kissing her hello.
"Claire, I hope she hasn't taken up too much of your time." Dean said oozing charm.
"She has been a real sweetheart." Claire smiled and batted at the idea of inconvenience.
"I got us dinner reservations. I just wanted to let you know we will need to leave in a little bit." Dean hugged her lightly.
"You did?" Lilly looked absolutely confused.